Today, I dropped by Kia Motors’ UK headquarters in Walton, to catch up with Paul Philpott (President and CEO of Kia Motors UK), and Steve Kitson (Corporate Communications Director).

It was great to catch up and hear the firms’ news, including its impressive year in commercial terms and Kia’s expanding range of models available across its 188 UK dealers. Kia prides itself on a combination of high quality, reliability, and an attractive and diverse range of designs, which has allowed it to increase and widen its appeal in the UK market.

We talked through some of the domestic challenges, pressures on the car manufacturing sector, issues relating to Brexit, and also the range of support Kia gives to local groups in the community, including the inspirational Childrens Trust in Tadworth. I am proud to have such a strong UK business, and conscientious community partner, in the heart of our constituency.

One of the areas I have become increasingly interested in is cyber-security. It has profound implications for the future, including strategic threats from governments like the Russian and Chinese as well as the integrity of modern businesses, particularly those with a strong IT dimension. I used to advise on this policy issue, before becoming an MP, and it has only become more topical and important since.

As well as reading up on the various reports on the ‘strategic’ or ‘geopolitical’ threats and challenges, I want to better understand the commercial perspective from businesses’ point of view. So, from the New Year, I have agreed to join the Advisory Board of Reliance ACSN Limited, a UK cyber security firm. It is a paid role with a (flexible) time commitment of up to 18 days per year, which doesn’t involve any lobbying of government.  I have cleared the role with Whitehall’s Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (as a former Minister), and (as an MP) declared it with the House of Commons’ Register of Members’ Interests.

Cyber security is a good example of a public policy issue that cuts across business and government. I also look forward to having some renewed exposure to an interesting business in the sector – not least because it is all too easy for politicians to lose touch, in the Westminster bubble, with the real challenges that businesses are facing.

Last night, I was privileged to join a stellar cast to open the new National Autistic Society (NAS) Cullum Centre at Hinchley Wood School.  I went along to pay tribute to Headteacher Ben Bartlett, Mark Lever (Chief Executive of the National Autistic Society), Peter Cullum who funded the centre (along with his inspirational family), and the children and families who will benefit – as pictured below.

The Cullum Centre is an amazing opportunity to integrate autistic children into one of the very best secondary schools in Surrey, by creating the space and facilities for specialist support. I know first-hand from my own constituency casework just how valuable this centre will be.

It is fantastic that Hinchley Wood School was willing to take on the project, and this is the third of four Cullum Centres to come through the pipeline in Surrey. Peter Cullum, inspired by his grandson, has backed the initiative with his own money, and it just shows how we can do better in integrating special needs children into mainstream education. 

The new government has set out its ambition to help every child realise their full potential. For autistic children, this is a beacon of how to make that a reality.

It was standing room only, last night, at Holy Trinity Church in Claygate, where I hosted an open public meeting on the state of play with Brexit.

It was great to have such a lively crowd, of some three to four hundred, engaging on such an important issue. I explained how the UK economy had proved more economically resilient than had been forecasted, in the aftermath of the referendum vote in June. I also set out the government’s position, and how the EU was likely to respond.

We then had well over an hour of questions and interventions – ranging from access to the single market to exchanges of students and researchers.

It’s natural that people have different concerns and interests. But, I found the meeting invaluable, as an opportunity to listen to local feedback, and address as many of the issues raised as possible – so thank you to everyone who came along.

We are fast approaching my next public meeting. It is being held on Thursday, 27 October 2016 at Holy Trinity Church Hall, Holy Trinity Church, Claygate, KT10 0JP. It will be held from 7:30pm until 9:30pm.

It aims to give all residents of the constituency – regardless of political view – an opportunity to raise any concerns or issues about Britain’s departure from the EU, following the recent referendum. However, residents are welcome to raise any other local or national issue.

I hope to see you there!

I discussed the current state of play on Brexit with The Spectator’s Isabel Hardman and Labour’s Pat McFadden for Radio 4’s Week in Westminster.

You can listen via the link here (from 2min, 30).